Infielder Derek Dietrich facing long odds to land bench spot on Miami Marlins

JUPITER – Marlins utility player Derek Dietrich is fighting what likely are long odds for a roster spot but helped himself Tuesday with a walk off home run in a 2-1 victory over the Nationals. Dietrich has another chance to impress today as the DH against Matt Harvey and the Mets.

“I’m just trying to put good at bats together and do whatever is necessary to help this team,” Dietrich said. “Every day is a competition. I look at it like that whether I’m playing every day or I’m competing for a bench spot. I don’t want anything handed to me. I try to earn everything. I have a real focused, concentrated attitude this year.”

Dietrich, 25, had a much brighter future a year ago when he made the opening day roster and started the majority of the games at second base the first two months of the season before struggling at the plate and eroding in the field. In the end, he finished with a .228 average and 10 errors at second base in just 44 games.

One thing in Dietrich’s favor is he can hit with power. But that may not be enough when it comes to deciding how the Marlins will fill those last two spots, one of which must go to a player who can play shortstop, a position Dietrich has never played in his two years in the big leagues although he was drafted as a shortstop and played 229 games there in the minors.

“That’s always been my strength as an infielder,” Dietrich said of his power. “We’re all competing so whatever I can bring. That happens to be one of the things I possess. I’m just going to use it as much as I can. Hopefully it serves the club well.”

* The Marlins will have faced arguably the top two pitchers in the NL East the last two days – Washington’s Max Scherzer on Tuesday and Harvey today.

Scherzer, who has faced the Marlins once in his career, 2009 when he was with Arizona, allowed six hits and a run in the Marlins’ 2-1 victory. Harvey did not pitch last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

“The more you see these guys the better off you are,” manager Mike Redmond said. “The more at bats you get against these pitchers, the better.”

* SS Adeiny Hechavarria will work on the backfields one more day before returning to the lineup Thursday in Fort Myers against the Twins. Hechavarria has not played since Thursday because of a tired arm.

“He’s fine, Redmond said. “Another day of going through BP and infield.”

Reid Brignac will start at shortstop today.

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